Luggage with wheels and with telescoping handle intermediate side walls

ABSTRACT

The carrying case or luggage item is in the form of a rectangular parallel piped container with a midpanel separating a forward compartment and a rear compartment wherein one of the compartments is designed for the storage of clothing or personal items including a hanging bag or wardrobe and the opposite side compartment is designed for the protective carrying of a personal computer and business records. In addition to a midpanel which separates the two compartments, the telescoping handle is provided to facilitate the separation of the compartments and to provide a means for transporting the luggage item which includes wheels on its bottom side.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a utility application based upon the previously filedprovisional application serial no. 60/190,194 filed Mar. 17, 2000 whichis incorporated herewith by reference and for which priority is claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a luggageitem or case which includes a telescoping handle, wheels to facilitatetransport, and separated opposed compartments one of which is designedfor carrying of a computer and business records and the other of whichis designed for carrying clothing and personal items.

[0003] Business persons are often confronted with the need to takeshort-term, overnight business trips. On such trips it is commonpractice for many business persons to take their computer, variousbusiness records as well as clothing, toiletries and the like. Mosttypically the business items are packed in one case or valise and thepersonal items are packed in a separate case or valise.

[0004] As a consequence of packing separate types of items in separatecases, the transport of such items becomes cumbersome. Thus, there hasdeveloped a need to simplify the manner in which items, which arebusiness items as well as personal items, can be carried, preferably ina single case which is efficient, economical, and which is capable ofproviding for transport of a personal computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Briefly, the present invention comprises a luggage item or casewhich is in the form of a parallelpiped case or container wherein thecontainer includes a vertical wall separating front and backcompartments and further wherein one of the compartments is designed tofacilitate the storage of a wardrobe and clothing or personal items andthe opposite side compartment is designed for the carrying of a personalcomputer, business records, and the like. The vertical separating, ormid-panel wall, which defines the separate compartments, furtherincorporates a telescoping handle and wheels attached to the bottom sideof the case to facilitate ease of transport of the case.

[0006] The case is further designed to incorporate a system whichenables storage of the personal computer within the case in a protectedmanner that reduces shock or impact that may affect the personalcomputer. The case further includes access panels which facilitate easeof access and entry to the case and, in particular, to either one of thetwo compartments defined by the separating midpanel. The case or luggagefurther includes a construction which enables inclusion of a wardrobecontainer or hanging bag-type container for clothing on one of thecompartments.

[0007] Thus it is an object of the invention to provide a luggage orcarrying case which is more universal in that it enables a traveler topack and incorporate business items and personal items includingclothing in a single case.

[0008] It is a further object of the invention to provide a luggage itemwhich includes first and second separate compartments within the caseseparated by a midpanel wall and a telescoping handle wherein one of thecompartments is useful for the storage of clothing and personal itemsand the other compartment is useful for the storage of a personalcomputer and business items.

[0009] Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a wheeledcarrying case or luggage item useful for the carriage of both personalitems and business items.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide a luggage or acarrying case wherein the luggage item can be constructed in compliancewith airline size regulations.

[0011] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a carrying caseor item of luggage which enables the packing of clothing and personalitems in one compartment segregated from a second compartment wherebusiness are packed and further wherein the compartment which permitsthe packing of clothing serves to cushion or facilitate the protectionof the items carried within the business compartment.

[0012] Yet another object of the invention a luggage or carrying casewhich is economical, lightweight, easily transportable, rugged andsuitable for carrying business items as well as personal items such asclothing and toiletries.

[0013] These and other objects, advantages, and features of theinvention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0014] In the detailed description which follows, reference will be madeto the drawing comprised of the following figures:

[0015]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the luggage case of the inventionas viewed from the front side;

[0016]FIG. 1a is a partial isometric view of the storage folders in theinternal pocket of the front side of the luggage case of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the luggage case of FIG. 1 asviewed from the back side with the back side in the open position;

[0018]FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view depicting a wardrobeincorporated in the back side compartment of the luggage case;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional elevation of the luggage case takensubstantially along the line 4—4 in FIG. 5;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the case of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a front side elevation of the case of FIG. 1;

[0022]FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the storage folder constructionincorporated in the front side compartment of the luggage case;

[0023]FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a computer support systemincorporated in the front storage compartment of the luggage case;

[0024]FIG. 9 is an isometric, vertical cross sectional view of theluggage case of FIG. 1; and

[0025]FIG. 10 is an isometric vertical cross sectional view of analternative luggage case incorporating features of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] FIGS. 1-9 depict a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10depicts a second embodiment of the invention.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1-9, the luggage case of the inventionincludes a top side 12, a first lateral side 14, a second lateral side16, a bottom side 18, a front side 20, and a back side 22. Thecollective sides are formed as a rectangular, parallelpiped luggagecase. The front side 20 is divided into a rigid, rectangular upper panel24 connected along a hinged seam 26 to a rigid, rectangular lower panel28. The lower panel 28 includes wheel wells 30 and 32 with wheels 34 and36 in the wells 30 and 32, respectively. The bottom side 18 includes anexternal support bar or foot 38 which, together with wheels 36, supportsthe luggage case.

[0028] The front, upper panel 24 is hinged to the lower panel 26 and maybe pivotally moved about the horizontal hinge 26 by releasing a zipperconnection 40 to expose the interior of the luggage case and moreparticularly, a front section 42, or front compartment 42 thereof. Thefront compartment 42 includes an upper folio 44 which is attached alongan upper edge 46 to the interior of the front compartment 42. The folio44 or the interior of the case includes a strap 50 connectable to afastener 52 on the folio 44 to hold the compartments or sections of thefolio 44 in the closed position. As depicted in FIG. 7, the folio 44 mayinclude a panel 60 with additional pockets such as pocket 54 and pocket56, as well as pencil or pen pockets 58 on the outside of panel 60. Theouter panel 60 retains or fits over a series of pockets such as pocket62 and pocket 64 between an inside panel 66 and outer panel 60. Panels60/66 are connected by flexible gussets 68 and 70 on opposite sides ofthe folio 44. Gussets 68, 70 connect to panels 63, 65 to define pockets62, 64.

[0029] The front compartment 42 further includes a horizontal plate orplatform 72 designed to support a personal computer. The platform 72 isbiased by springs 74 interposed between the platform 72 and the bottomside 18 as depicted in FIG. 4, for example. On the inside of thecompartment 42 attached to each of the opposite sides 14 and 16 of theluggage case is a sponge rubber, or other elastomeric bumper, or buffer76 and 78, respectively, which facilitates retention of a personalcomputer in position supported on the platform 72 and protects thecomputer from shock as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, a personal computer, shownin phantom at 80, can be retained on the platform 72 between the buffers76 and 78.

[0030] The inside of the compartment 42 further includes a mid-panel 82which extends for the full height of the luggage case and is, in thepreferred embodiment, cushioned by cushioning material 84 as depicted inFIG. 9. The inside of the front panel or front side 20, is similarlycushioned by cushioning material 86. This assembly protects the personalcomputer 80 which is retained within the forward or front compartment 42of the luggage case against midpanel 82.

[0031] Another important feature of the luggage case is the position ofthe telescopic handle 90. The telescopic handle 90 includes a firstvertical telescoping handle member 92 and a second parallel member 94,both of which are inserted through the middle of the top side 12 andproject downwardly along midpanel 82 to the bottom side 18 of theluggage case. The telescopic handle 90 thus extends and telescopesupwardly through the top side 12 from the bottom side 18. The midpanel82 divides the luggage case into a front section 42, as alreadydescribed, and a back section 96. The backside 22 is attached by azipper 98 which extends around three sides of the rectangular backside22 and permits the backside 22 to be pivoted about a hinge connection100 to the lateral side 14. Thus, as depicted in FIG. 2, for example,the backside 22, when pivoted about the hinge 100 opens to expose theinterior or back compartment or section 96. The back section 96preferably includes a foldable wardrobe 102. The wardrobe 102 includes azipper attachment 104 which attaches a lower side or end 101 of wardrobe102 to a compatible zipper attachment 106 on the inside of the backcompartment 96. The zipper attachment 106 is positioned parallel to thehinge 100 and adjacent the junction of the panel 82 to the side 14.

[0032] The wardrobe 102 includes a zippered cover 106 attached byzippers 108 and 110 to a back cover 107 for access to the interior ofthe wardrobe 102. The wardrobe 102 may thus be easily folded when it isinserted into the back compartment 96 of carrying case or unfolded whenit is removed therefrom. The wardrobe 102 may serve as a hanging bag forclothing items retained therein when detached from the case.

[0033] The backside 22 further includes an outside face with storagepockets, such as storage pockets 114 and 116. The pocket 116 includes azipper 118 which provides access to a pocket on the outside of thestorage pocket 116. The storage pocket 116 also includes a zipper 120for access to a storage area 122 as depicted in FIG. 9. The zipper 118defines a further storage pocket 119 on the outside thereof. In theembodiment shown, a fold-out bottle bag 126 may be retained within thepocket 119 and which provides access through the zipper 118. The bag 126thus may be folded out of the pocket 119 and a water bottle, forexample, may be held therein.

[0034]FIG. 8 depicts a construction of the biasing or spring supportsystem for a personal computer retained within the front compartment 42.The platform 72 may comprise a plastic panel or fibreboard or othersimilar material. The platform 72 fits over a U-shaped cross sectionmolded plastic, or sheet metal retainer 130. A U-shaped bottom retainer132 is positioned opposite retainer 130 so that springs 74 are retainedbetween retainers 130, 132. A block of sponge-like elastomeric material134 may be inserted in the space between the retainers 130 and 132 todampen movement of the personal computer 80 and the effect of thesprings 74.

[0035] In review, the luggage case is divided into two basic sections orcompartments 42, 96 by a vertical midpanel 82. The front section 42comprises an area, or region, for storage of work materials, including apersonal computer, work papers, pens, pencils, papers, folders and thelike. The back section 96 comprises an area or section for storage ofclothing and personal articles. The telescoping handle 90 and midpanel82 separate the compartments 42, 96. The handle 90 is positionedadjacent the midpanel 82 in the clothing compartment 96.

[0036]FIG. 10 discloses a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9.In FIG. 10, the luggage case is foreshortened and is in the form of asuitcase with or without any wheels. Thus, referring to FIG. 10, atelescopic handle 140, is positioned along a vertical midpanel 142 of acarrying case. The handle 140 may be telescoping or may merely be aregular luggage type handle. In any event, it is positioned along themidpanel of a rectangular, parallelpiped luggage case 144 of the typehaving a back side panel 146 and a front side panel 148. The front sidepanel 148 is accessible by means of a zipper 150 for access to aninterior storage area 152. The interior storage section is designed forreceipt and support of a personal computer upon a biased support pad 154analogous to the pad 72 previously described supported by springs 156analogous to the springs 74 previously described. The compartment 152thus serves as a padded storage compartment for a personal computer.

[0037] The backside 146 encloses a storage compartment 160 in whichclothing and similar personal items may be stored. A zipper 162 providesaccess to the back section, or backside 146, of storage compartment 160.

[0038] While there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of theinvention, it is to be understood that the invention is limited only bythe following claims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A luggage case comprising, in combination:generally rectangular parallelpiped case including a bottom side, a topside and spaced, lateral sides connecting the top side and the bottomside, a front panel and a back panel, said front and back panels and thesides defining a luggage case enclosure, said lateral sides beinggenerally equal in length and longer than the top side and bottom side;a mid panel within the case dividing the interior of the case into afront section and a rear section; a telescoping handle projecting fromthe top side into the case along the mid panel; wheels affixed to thebottom side at the junction of the front panel and the bottom side; anda resilient support adjacent the bottom side in one of the sections forprotective support of an item lodged on the support.
 2. The case ofclaim 1 wherein the resilient support comprises a cross member supportedon a biasing element interposed between the cross member and the bottomside.
 3. The case claim 1 wherein the front panel is divided into alower panel portion affixed to the bottom side and limited verticalextent of the spaced lateral sides, and an upper panel portion hinged tothe lower panel section along a hinge line connecting the panelportions.
 4. The case of claim 1 wherein the front panel is hinged tothe case between the lateral sides of the case for access to the frontsection.
 5. The case of claim 1 wherein the back panel is hinged to aside of the case for access to the back section.
 6. The case of claim 1wherein the back panel includes pockets attached thereto.
 7. The case ofclaim 1 wherein the back section includes a wardrobe carrier.
 8. Thecase of claim 7 wherein the wardrobe includes a base end and a hangerend, said based end removably attached to the case.
 9. The case of claim1 wherein the wardrobe is foldable into the back section.
 10. The caseof claim 1 wherein the resilient support is comprised a cross membersupported on a plurality of springs mounted on the bottom side.
 11. Aluggage case comprising, in combination: a generally rectangularparallelpiped case including a bottom side, a top side and spaced,lateral sides connecting the top side and the bottom side, a front paneland a back panel fitted to the sides to define a luggage case enclosure;a telescoping handle extending from the top side into the enclosure andseparating the enclosure into an interior front section and an interiorback section, said back section including a wardrobe carrier removablyattached to the case, said front section including a compartment havinga resilient support mechanism mounted above the bottom side, said frontside including a hinged front panel for access to the front side; saidback side including a hinged panel attached for access to the backsection; and wheels affixed to the bottom side.
 12. The case of claim 12wherein the front side includes a lower section comprised of a rigidpanel.
 13. The case of claim 13 wherein the rigid panel extends to thebottom side and includes mounting brackets for the wheels.
 14. The caseof claim 13 wherein the rigid panel extends to the bottom side andcomprises at least part of the bottom side.
 15. The case of claim 12wherein the front side includes a rigid panel extending from the bottomside upward to a hinge connection to a front panel section which may beopened to the interior of the case.
 16. A luggage case comprising incombination: a generally rectangular parallelpiped case including afront panel, a back panel, a top side, a bottom side and spaced lateralsides joined to the top side and bottom side to define an enclosure incombination with the front panel and the back panel; and a telescopinghandle positioned generally parallel to and intermediate the front paneland back panel and inside the case, said handle assembly telescopicallyextending from the top side and defining means for separating theinterior of the case into a first, front compartment accessible from thefront panel and a second, back compartment accessible from the backpanel, said front and back panels each including hinged sections topermit access to a compartment.
 17. The case of claim 16 furtherincluding a detachable, foldable wardrobe in the second backcompartment.
 18. The case of claim 16 further including a computersupport and storage compartment in the first front compartmentcomprising a support member supported by a biasing mechanism to absorbshock and cushion support of an item in the computer support and storagecompartment.
 19. The case of claim 16 further including an L shapedreinforcing element having a first leg extending over at least a portionof the bottom side and a second leg extending over at least a portion ofthe front side.
 20. The case of claim 19 including wheels supported bythe L shaped reinforcing element.